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Readers:
There is a tidal wave of books being released into the marketplace these days. According to Bowker, in 2008 there were 85,468 ISBN issued for small press or self-published books. In 2013, there were 458,564. A press release by Bowker in 2014 reveals that the growth trend for self-published books is continuing steadily, if in a more healthy than frantic pace.

Diamonds in the Dust
Amidst all these books there is a plethora of badly written or hastily edited work, with quite a few well-written books mixed in, but relatively invisible amidst the mountain of slush and froth. Many of these may contain offensive material, but there isn't much for a parent to go by to make an informed decision on what might be in the book their teen wants to buy. What this blog intends to do is offer the parent (Christian or not) information on the content and quality of books available on the market, specifically from small-press and independent sources.

If a book is reviewed here, you can expect the quality and content to be sufficient for human consumption (at least ours, your mileage might vary), or know the reason why not. We will post clearly in our review the general quality, the amount of violence, language, sexual and spiritual content.

Note that we usually receive a digital copy of the books on this site, for the sake of an honest review.

Authors:
Self-published and small-press-published authors often find it difficult to get their books noticed. As time permits, we will accept submissions for review. We will accept non-fiction or fiction books, in any genre except erotica, in eBook (MOBI) or ePub format only. Do NOT send your book to us unless we accept your request. If we like what we read, we will post a review on the following venues:
Here
Amazon
GoodReads
(possibly other venues, on request)
If we cannot give a three-star or better review, we will contact you and tell you why. If you still want the review posted, notify us, and we will post it for you on those venues. If for some reason we can't get through the book at all (time constraints might be a factor) we will let you know.

Oh, and also, I'm getting about 20+ review requests per month, and can only plow through about a book a week. If you do the math, that means I'll not be able to review every book I get a request on.

The process is simple:Step 1:
send an email to chris [dot] solaas [at] yahoo [dot] com detailing the following:Subject: Review Request for <your book title> by <author name>
Your name
Book Name
Genre
number of pages (an estimate is fine, or word count)
Venues you'd like to see your review posted in (from the list above please, request if there's another place you want it)
- NOTE: Smashwords will only post a review if the book is purchased there, so you'll need to give me a coupon code for a free book...
- Nuther NOTE: Note that I bolded the Subject. If your Subject isn't formatted this way, yahoo in its infinite wisdom gathers together ALL emails titled 'Book Review' into one thread, which confuses it and me, and ends up in the recycle bin. I added the author name to the subject, this will really speed up my review process.

Elevator pitch/back cover blurb.
Link to your book on Amazon/Goodreads. If your book is in the process of publication and you are looking for a pre-release review, let us know. These will hopefully bubble to the top of the queue as there is a time constraint on them. Make sure you allow 1-2 months for the review to be posted before your release date. If you want to quote a portion of our review on your back cover/front matter, please ask first).
Release Date.

Step 2:
We will contact you back, and let you know if we can accept your book for review. If you don't hear back, it could be because we had an ADD moment, or we haven't gotten to your email yet, or you are one of the 4 out of 5 books we can't get to in the month. No hard feelings. Oh, also, as I've got quite a queue, it might actually be months before I send a request for a MOBI.

Step 3:
If we've accepted your book for review, send us the book in electronic form as requested. We'll put it in the queue and read it. I need a MOBI or ePub. I can't process a PDF or paperback.

Step 4:
Wait. We're working on it. If life happens, and we can't we'll let the pending authors know about any major delay, unless we have died and there's nobody left to notify you. Or if the rapture happens, and we're gone as well. But in that case, hopefully you'll be 'gone' with us, and I'm not sure how much of it's going to matter after that... :-)

Step 5:
We contact you back, with either links to your reviews, reason for delay, reason why we can't review or finish the book. Please don't take it hard if that happens. I'm an author too, and understand that our books are our 'babies', a part of us. But our Lord demands and our craft requires that we put our best effort into the work. Prov 22:29, 2 Sam 24:24

John Fischer, entitled Fearless Faith: Living Beyond the Walls of Safe Christianity.Greetings!My name is Wendy Saddler, with Authors Large and Small. We help promote up and coming authors, ranging from historical fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, Christian fiction, YA, suspense, and much more. We would like to introduce you to a very brilliant up and coming author, named John Fischer, entitled Fearless Faith: Living Beyond the Walls of Safe Christianity.https://www.amazon.com/Fearless-Faith-Living-Beyond-Christianity/dp/0736907475 Christian radio, Christian television, Christian schools, and Christian activism have created a cushion that protects believers from a world that often ridicules Christian beliefs and values. Is this the life of faith Christ's followers are called to? Christian leader and musician John Fischer challenges believers to break out of the safety zone and share Christ through acts of love, intelligent conversation, and genuine compassion. Readers will discover how they can...• meet and connect with the lost• face danger with excitement by depending on Jesus• understand what it truly means to be "set apart"Fearless Faith offers the encouragement and tools Christians need to step out in faith and point people to the salvation found in the Jesus.

About the AuthorJohn Fischer has been mixing his unique combination of singing, speaking, and humor for a variety of audiences for more than thirty years. A bestselling writer, John is the author of Fearless Faith, 12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee (Like Me), Real Christians Don't Dance, and the award-winning Saint Ben. Fischer graduated from Wheaton College and later served as Artist in Residence at Gordon College in Massachusetts.

Given your web site/blog's focus I think a review of these books would be a good fit. Please let me know if this interests you and I'll have the authors send you a copy. If you have any questions, please contact me at wendy.saddler@hotmail.com, or cedeptula@sbcglobal.net

I recently published a book and would be honored if you reviewed it. Below is more information.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECombining Healthy Living and the Catholic Faith in a Book has Never been Done Before, Until Now. The new book, “Taking Care of Your Family's Health and Well-being, Saints to Turn to and the Catholic Faith,” by Cascia Talbert, founder of the award winning online magazine for moms, the Healthy Moms Magazine, is now available to pre-order on Kindle and paperback exclusively on Amazon. Crystal Lake, Illinois, February 16, 2018

This book, inspired by the Holy Spirit can help anyone attain a holy healthy life.

From the author, “My prayer and hope is that this book will be a Godsend for you and that you may live your life for His honor and Glory and attain everlasting life with Him in heaven.”About the author: Cascia Talbert is a devout Catholic, mother of five children, health and fitness enthusiast and positive parenting supporter. She is also the founder of the award winning online health, fitness, parenting and Christian faith magazine for moms, the Healthy Moms Magazine. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, five children and one spoiled cat. Her hobbies include gardening, country music, running, and playing her flute.

Title: Taking Care of Your Family's Health and Well-being, Saints to Turn to and the Catholic FaithPublisher: Independently published (February 12, 2018)Language:EnglishISBN-10:1980242402ISBN-13:978-1980242406

Using diet recommendations for your age group, learning how to spot mental health issues, exercising your brain and body and praying to the saint or saints who are patrons for your health issue, can bring peace and possibly healing.

We are all on a journey to sainthood. In order to become saints in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ we first must learn how to take care of our physical bodies. We can use the examples of the saints to teach us how to better understand how to have a healthy mind, get proper nutrition, and get enough physical activity. They are also our friends and will intercede for us when we are troubled, in times of need or struggling with a health issue. "Taking Care of Your Family's Health and Well-Being, Saints to Turn to and the Catholic Faith," introduces readers to special saints that can help us on our journey towards healthy living, happiness and eternal life in heaven. For more information and to order review copies contact:Cascia Talberttalbertcascia@yahoo.comTo learn more about the Healthy Moms Magazine visit: https://healthymomsmagazine.netTo purchase the book on Amazon visit:https://www.amazon.com/dp/1980242402

Use the contact information above to interview the author or request a free review copy of the book, “Taking Care of Your Family's Health and Well-being, Saints to Turn to and the Catholic Faith,” by Cascia Talbert.